The Academy (AFA) for the Fine Arts at Governor Thomas Johnson High School offers Frederick County high school students in grades 10 -12, with an interest in the arts, the opportunity to take exceptional classes in music, theatre, dance, musical theatre and visual art. AFA courses are only offered at Governor Thomas Johnson High School.

Mission

Reach through enrichment, Challenge through extension, Prepare through experience

Vision

The Academy for the Fine Arts is a thriving educational arts community that inspires students to nurture their craft through unique enrichment experiences. Rigor and collaboration prepare these artists to pursue their post-secondary experience, employ art for the benefit of their communities, and cultivate an intrinsic curiosity.

What Does the AFA Offer?

• Small group instruction: AFA classes are intentionally small (around 15-20 students) which allows instructors to form relationships with each student as well as provided significant amounts of one on one instruction.  Curriculum can be easily customized to each students skill set as well as personal goals. 

• ​Masterclasses with professionals:  Students regularly engage with professionals through portfolio reviews, masterclasses, and performances.  In the past, students have worked with Broadway professionals, college instructors, recording artists, resident artists, and technicians. 

• Trips to view professional works: AFA students have traveled to New York, Washington DC, Chicago, and Baltimore  to examine the works of professional artists up close.  

• Scholarships: Each year, one senior from each focus area is awarded a scholarship to the institution of their choice. 

• Opportunities for college credit: Many of our focus areas offer with AP or Dual Enrollment classes in the Arts. 

• Student directed learning: Many activities in the AFA curriculum place the student in charge of his or her learning.  As the curriculum focuses on concepts and skills, students are often given the choice on the content to explore and the mode of presentation.      

• ​Community internships: Third year students are given the opportunity to complete an internship.  Internships help students gain valuable real world experience before entering college or the workforce.  

• College visits : Preparation for college can be a very intimidating and daunting task.  AFA instructors supplement the work of School Counselors by walking each student through the application and audition process for each institution.  AFA students also visit multiple colleges and universities each year participating in campus tours, masterclasses, mock auditions, and portfolio reviews with university staff.  

• ​Rigorous coursework:  The academic expectations in the AFA are demanding.  Students are enrolled in more courses than their peers, and these courses are taught a college level, some of them for college credit.  Students are consistently asked to examine established works, reflect on and interpret them, and demonstrate their knowledge through well-researched writing, multimedia presentations, and verbal discourse

• ​Flexible scheduling in an artistic community: Because all AFA students are present for the first two blocks of the day, the AFA is not bound by the bell schedule.  Classes can be extended or adjusted to meet the needs of the students or the specific activities for the day. Students also have the unique opportunity to collaborate between the arts in an effort to experience and understand multiple perspectives.